Dentist who used paper clips for root canals jailed

A dentist who used paper clips rather than medical stainless steel posts while carrying out root canal work has been sentenced to a year in jail.

Michael Clair's dentistry license was suspended in Massachusetts in 2006 and he is no longer able to work as a dentist in any statePhoto: ALAMY

By Rosa Prince, New York

8:13PM GMT 30 Jan 2012

Michael Clair, whose surgery was in Massachusetts, pleaded guilty earlier this month to charges including assault and battery, fraud, the illegal prescribing of medication and witness intimidation.

Prosecutors claimed that he used sections of paper clips during root canal work on patients including children in order to save money, leaving many with infections and other problems.

Brenda Almeida described how her teenage son's tooth had turned black and had to be removed after Clair performed a root canal on him in 2005. Two of her other children also received poor care.

After attending Fall River Superior Court to watch Judge Richard Moses sentence the dentist to a year in the Bristol County House of Correction, she said: "He put my kids in pain for months ... I hope he rots there."

Prosecutors had asked for Clair to be jailed for five to seven years, but the judge said he considered Clair's acceptance of responsibility, lack of a criminal record and "certain mental health issues" Clair is dealing with.